Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Holiday Activities
The holiday season is here! Hanukkah (celebrated begins Sunday, December 2 at sunset and ends Monday, December 10 at nightfall) and Kwanzaa (begins Wednesday, December 26 (in 28 days ends Tuesday, January 1) are right around the corner. Charlotte’s Best Nanny has found some fun activities in Charlotte and the surrounding areas to celebrate with you and your family.
Hannukah 2018 Activities:
December 1, 2018
Levine JCC Hanukkah Extravaganza 5 PM-7 PM
Activities include games, songs and crafts. Dinner is included in the cost
Geared towards grades K-5
$10 for Members and $15 for Non-Members
December 2, 2018
Menorah Lighting SouthPark Mall 4 PM-6 PM
Put on by Chabad of Charlotte, this celebration will include treats, family activities and music. The menorah will be lit at 6PM. Free
1st Night Menorah Lighting, Donut Truck and More
Temple Kol Tikvah of Lake Norman, Davidson | 4 p.m.
via Facebook
Join the Jewish community and Temple Kol Tikvah as the welcome the holiday of Chanukah with a communal Menorah Lighting, music, face painting, donut truck and more.
December 3, 2018
Ice Menorah Lighting at Stonecrest (In the Fountain Plaza) 5 PM
Sponsored by Ballantyne Chabad, this celebration will include traditional Hanukkah treats, hot drinks, Hanukkah games, crafts and more. Free
December 4, 2018
Menorah Lighting Waxhaw (E. North Main Street in Downtown Waxhaw) 5:30 PM
Family friendly activities and menorah lighting. Free
Kwanzaa 2018 Activities
There will be several opportunities in 2018 to learn about and to celebrate Kwanzaa in the Charlotte area. All of these are free, family-friendly events, unless otherwise specified.
Kwanzaa lasts seven days, starting December 26th, each one with a focus on a different principle:
Day 1. Umoja means unity.
Day 2. Kujichagulia means self-determination.
Day 3. Ujima means working together.
Day 4. Ujamaa means supporting each other.
Day 5. Nia means purpose.
Day 6. Kuumba means creativity.
Day 7. Imani means faith.
City-Wide Kwanzaa Celebrations
The city-wide celebration, presented by Kwanzaa Charlotte, will offer educational and artistic programs throughout the Charlotte community from December 26 – January 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sign language interpretation by Fluent Language Solutions will be available for designated programs, and upon request.
An African Marketplace will be available on most evenings, and will open at 6 p.m.
All events are free, and open to the public.
Umoja: Unity
Wednesday, December 26th
Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church
6116 Montieth Drive
Host: A Sign of the Times Band & Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Kujichagulia : Self-Determination
Thursday, December 27th
Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center
(Adjacent to Bruns Academy)
440 Wesley Heights Way
Host: The Jzar Family & Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Ujima: Collective Work & Responsibility
Friday, December 28th
East Stonewall AME Zion Church
1729 Griers Grove Rd
Host: The Males Place
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics
Saturday, December 29th
Kamitic Life Center
2715 Tuckaseegee Rd.
Host: Kamit Natural Foods & Ausar Auset Society
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Nia: Purpose
Sunday, December 30th
Our Lady of Consolation
Catholic Church Family Life Center
1235 Badger Court
Host: Kwanzaa Charlotte & The Nation of Islam
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Kuumba: Creativity
Monday, December 31st
Our Lady of Consolation
Catholic Church Family Life Center
1235 Badger Court
Host: Kwanzaa Charlotte
6 p.m.: African Marketplace
7 p.m.: Program
Imani: Faith
Tuesday, January 1st
Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church
6116 Montieth Drive
Host: A Sign of the Times Band & Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman
7 p.m.
Discussion and Celebration at Gantt Center
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is hosting two Kwanzaa related events, a discussion on December 11th, 2018, for ages 18+, and a celebration on December 29th for everyone.
Both are free events.
Talk About It Tuesday–A Kwanzaa-Inspired Conversation on Cooperative Economics
Tuesday, December 11th, 2018
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Free
Celebrate the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa, with an evening of networking and conversation around shared work and wealth. Participants will discuss the importance of small business and entrepreneurship within in Charlotte communities and next steps to expand opportunities throughout the city.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 29th, 2018
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
A day of hands-on art, performances & conversations celebrating the principles of Kwanzaa. Create Kwanzaa keepsakes, sample local sweets – shop with some of Charlotte’s businesses of color in the museum store.
Kwanzaa workshop at Beatties Ford Road Regional Library
Saturday, December 1st, 2018
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Beatties Ford Road Regional Library
2412 Beatties Ford Road
Free
Kwanzaa Charlotte and Beatties Ford Road Regional Library present a workshop designed for families who want to learn how to Celebrate Kwanzaa at Home. Learn the origins, the seven basic symbols, the fundamental activities, and the essential values of this time honored celebration of family, community and culture. Pronunciation of the Kiswahili terms and the creation of a Kwanzaa craft will be a part of this fun-filled, interactive program.
We hope everyone celebrating has an amazing holiday this year!
